Prevention, early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer

Oral cancer persistently accounts for approximately 3 to 4 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers each year in the United States, and absolute numbers increase yearly. Morbidity and mortality can be minimized by a combination of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis can be aided by application of vital staining with toluidine blue or use of exfoliative cytology combined with adequate tissue biopsy. Prevention--minimizing or avoiding the use of tobacco and alcohol--can play a significant role in oral cancer control, as can proper management of precancerous lesions.